Solved: Galaxy Store Now Requires Access to Contacts - Samsung Community - 64666...

The Samsung Galaxy Apps Store app now requires access to Contacts in order to function.  This seems to have occurred since the last Samsung firmware upgrade.  This is not required by Googlre Play, for example even with the most recent Android upgrade.  What is the reason for this fundamental breach of privacy?  Samsung does not need access to my contacts to seel me apps or upgrade existing apps and firmware.  I am very disappointed in Samsung, as this egregious change in policy flies in the face of current trends to protect basic privacy rights.

I believe you need that permission to share the app example If you want someone else to get a certain app instead of just telling them you can can share the link to the app with your contacts 

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Note 10+ Verizon Wireless

That is not correct.  I am not able to open the Galaxy Store on my Note 9 as I have withheld permission to access contacts.  I have no interest in sharing any app with anyone.  There is no business reason whatsoever for Samsung to require access to my Contacts, expect to exploit that access for their own gains through marketing, etc.  This is a fundamental violation of my privacy, imposed after I shelled out over $1000 for this phone, without obtaining my consent.  Now, is there a workaround?

@ccalberti @GaryB82 

That information is incorrect.

"Sharing" does not need access to contacts permission. I request that this thread is marked as unsolved.

I have done you all the liberty of testing the galaxy store permissions. Android Developer Kit & Rooted s9+

Contact Permission:

1.) The application was NOT built before android 5.

2.) Disabling the perm after initalial startup does NOT remove any sharing capabilities. 

3.) Sandboxing unrelated outgoing connections identified marketing data.

4.) Manipulating contact root permissions did not freeze the application.

Contacts conclusion:

Marketing / Analytics / Reading all the accounts signed into your phone.

I can guarantee this is used for reading the accounts signed into your device. This is primarily used for Analytics and marketing. 

Samsung openly admits that it collects your contacts information:

https://my-samsung.com/PrivacyPolicy.htm

"If you allow the sharing of Contacts information with us, the telephone numbers of the people in Contacts will be collected by us to facilitate file sharing and messaging with the people in your Contacts. You can turn off the file sharing and messaging features or restrict the scope of sharing by going to your profile settings."

Telephone Permissions:

1.) Permission required for microphone (Voice search) - False

2.) Did not freeze when manipulating call log data.

Telephone conclusion:

Used to gather Your Phone number and network information.

Overall Solution:

- If you're concerned about privacy, why do you own a big tech branded phone.

- If you don't like unwarrented marketing, don't use the galaxy store.

It is not illegal to restrict access to an application because you don't accept their marketing or sketchy permissions. However, it's a petty move by the developers, and I suggest it be removed.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask